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Category: The Deer Stalker

Finding the right wings

Published by Mary on October 12, 2019
Fluffy cat lying on costume fairy wings

Potato, who as we see is practicing to trick-or-treat as Queen of the Fey, is looking through my costume supplies to see which fairy wings suit her best. Although she’s not above gnawing on the wings either.

As for me, I did my reading (of The Deer Stalker, in Seattle), and attracted a small crowd, and people bought books, and that was good!

Now I’m trying to figure out the next book. I’m sort of ruminating on or rolling around in research about ancient Sumer (again)—sort of like Potato and her wings.

Out of season

Published by Mary on August 28, 2019
Apple blossom on a tree in late summer

Today on my apple tree I noticed a blossom, completely out of season—apple trees bloom in May. The tree’s trying to make up for bears eating all the apples early.

It seems like we have a lot of bears this year. The bears themselves are out of their usual place, perhaps, pushed by a couple of fire seasons destroying habitat east of me. (I’m crossing my fingers that there’ll be no fires this year.)

The world is off-balance now, to say the least. I’m coming into writing book three, which will have a future thread in it. In some ways, it’s been the easiest book yet to start—I have some settings and characters established. In others, it’s been the hardest, because I’m facing the future. Our future, our human future, and the future of the planet.

Not everyone feels this way, but I still have hope.

For Seattle-area folks, a reminder: There’s a Deer Stalker book-signing party September 14. Check my Facebook page for details!

Nearly there

Published by Mary on July 13, 2019

Here is my beautiful Onion girl, and my to-do list. I’ve just finished proofing the galleys for the second book. I’m trying to find the right time for a book release party.

It looks as if The Deer Stalker should be available around the first of August. I’ll provide details when everything’s for-sure locked in.

I won’t lie — I’m pretty excited.

Chillin’

Published by Mary on July 7, 2019
Cats lying on a bed

It’s been a quiet last week here at the homestead. Here are Onion and Potato demonstrating cat chillery. I camped out an evening for the Fourth, but returned to the cats the next afternoon.

The final proofread version of The Deer Stalker is with the publisher, and layout for book should be done shortly. I’ll have a publishing date soon! The book will come out around the first of August: Lughnasadh.

A doe visits

Published by Mary on June 20, 2019
Backyard with doe

You can barely see her, but that’s a doe in my backyard. She and (I think) one of her sisters have been hanging around here lately, bounding away if a local dog comes by.

It’s a fitting visit for another milestone for The Deer Stalker. I’ve finished and handed off my final copyedit. Now this draft goes to the pro copy editor for a few more refinements. Then it’s time to go to print. I’ll let you know when I have a print date.

Return

Published by Mary on June 5, 2019
Orchid blooming in pot

I came back from a family trip to find my orchid blooming, after several years when it hasn’t.

Also waiting for me, I found the line edit from my publisher.

Book two, The Deer Stalker, is close to ready! We’re aiming at an early August release—Lughnasadh, first fruits.

And it’s off!

Published by Mary on May 9, 2019
Candle burning on altar

This is a candle burning for Hekate, my muse and goddess, as I send my second draft to my publisher for review!

Spring and a rewrite

Published by Mary on April 28, 2019
Dogwood tree in bloom with other trees behind it

Outdoors, it’s celebrating spring. The dogwood is in bloom, and I’m editing book two to my publisher’s comments.

It’s a bit odd that it’s so springy out, when one timeline in the book is set in autumn. Another is set in spring, but spring in England. That timeline shares the bluebells and the blue skies but not the dogwood.

Potato is eating The New Yorker

Published by Mary on March 18, 2019
Cat chewing on magazine

Here is Potato with the latest New Yorker, giving her opinion of the literary establishment. Unlike me, she and her sister consume magazines starting at the corners, leaving frilled and bitten edges like lettuce.

I incorporated my beta readers’ comments into book two. This has been a hard last bit. Snow stayed, hard-crusted on the ground—we still have icebergs of it dotted across my backyard. Winter also stayed, with short days, and Daylight Savings was just an insult. I am prone to seasonal affective depression, but usually not so bad as this year.

Continue readingPotato is eating The New Yorker